…Party Stands in Solidarity with Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
The Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gombe State Chapter, Mr. Nitte K. Amangal has condemned in strong terms, the sustained campaign of calumny against the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami by some disgruntled and unpatriotic people.
In a statement on behalf of the entire APC family in Gombe state, the party chairman expressed the belief that the bad narratives against Pantami are being pushed by enemies of progress and the nation and therefore urged the Minister not to be deterred nor succumb to any form of blackmail.
He said, ” We commend the presidency and all the people of goodwill for coming out openly and boldly to defend the Minister against baseless accusations and attacks by individuals and organisations who do not mean well for Nigeria.
“We identify and stand in solidarity with our dear brother Dr. Pantami, who is a very dutiful and faithful member of our great party as well as an illustrious son of Gombe. We therefore request all well meaning party members to do so in the interest of our dear nation.
” We are very pleased and proud of the achievements recorded by Dr. Pantami in his stewardship as Federal cabinet member and believe that the smear campaign, which we are sure will not succeed, are not unconnected with the wonderful policies and reforms he has been carrying out in the ICT and digital economy sectors in the overall interest of the nation’s security and wellbeing”.
Sabo Ibrahim State Publicity Secretary APC Caretaker Committee Gombe State 24th April, 2021
…Attends Opening Ceremony of Khulafa’urrashidun Mosque Built by Adamu Abubakar Foundation
Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa says he will not relent in seeking for prayers for Nigeria and its leadership at all levels for Allah’s guidance and intervention to overcome the security and other challenges bedevilling the country.
The Governor made this known at the opening of Khulafa’urrashidun Juma’at mosque, built by Adamu Abubakar foundation at Kumbiya Kumbiya quarters, Gombe.
The Governor who decried the current security situation of the country, said turning to Allah in fervent prayers is the only solution to the numerous challenges in the country, urging the clerics and the entire Ummah to intensify efforts in that regard, especially in this holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Yahaya who described mosque as a centre of unity among the Muslim Ummah, called on the faithful in Kumbiya-Kumbiya quarters and the state in general to always make use of the place of worship to bring the community together, to serve an educational centre as well as to propagate peaceful co-existence among the people.
Governor Yahaya who commended the family of the late AIG Abubakar for putting up the mosque as a ‘Sadaqatul jariyya’ for their late father, urged Muslim community to invest in establishing Islamic schools and centres in addition to building mosques for the unity of the Ummah.
He thanked the entire people of Gombe state for their unflinching support to his administration.
The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar lll, thanked the family the late AIG Adamu Abubakar for building the magnificent mosque and immortalising their late father, saying the reward for such act is endless.
The Emir who spoke through Murshid Usman Baba Liman, thanked Governor Yahaya for creating enabling environment for people in Gombe state to live peacefully with one another and practice their religious beliefs freely. He called on the people of the state to continue to support the Governor in his drive to move the state forward.
In his remarks, the guest speaker, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa who preached at length on the bounties and reward inherent in investment in building mosques and establishing charity foundations and endowments, admonished the Ummah to continue to strive in that direction. He prayed for the success of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration.
The commissioning ceremony which took place before the Friday congregational prayer, was attended also by the Secretary to the state Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abubakar Inuwa Kari, Commissioners, Special Advisers, PPS, Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III among others.
Ismaila Uba Misilli DG ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has challenged the Governing Council of the College of Education Billiri to come up with realistic ideas that would assist the government in addressing the challenges confronting the institution for better service delivery.
The Governor made this known when he received members of the Governing Council of the College of Education, Billiri led by its Chairman, Dr. Usman Maijama’a Kallamu at the Government House.
Governor Yahaya commended the council and management of the college for their hardwork, commitment and dedication to duty which led to the enlistment of the institution into the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) intervention programme within the spade of 3 years.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya noted that the current economic challenges confronting the state places limitations to what government can do to meet the yearnings and aspirations of all and sundry, saying over 80 percent of the state allocation from the federation account goes to payment of salaries and allowances.
“The moment the N3.5 billion or little above comes in, we take off over N1.5 billion for salaries that is at the state level, it is even worst at the local government level. There are some local governments that cannot pay their pension allowances to their staff for the past 5-6 months”.
“So I want to urge you that from the gully erosion, to lack of facilities, to accomodation not only for the students but also for staff, the demands are too enormous that we need to look inward and devise some means by which we can meander through the turbulent waters”.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya who frowns at the menace of ghost workers in the civil service said with such development, government can hardly have surplus to address institutional challenges confronting the state such as the ones presented by the Governing Council. He however expressed determination to continue to manage prudently, the state resources and provide democracy dividends. The Governor told the visiting Council members that as at the last count, the portal created by his administration for graduates of Gombe State origin to register has received over 4600 applicants with another 6000 in the HND, NCE, ND and Diploma categories.
He noted that the inverted pyramid formation in the civil service where many enjoy bigger emoluments at the detriment of those who drive the process is worrisome and drains government ability to employ young graduates and provide services to the people.
The Governor however said the current effort to digitize attendance of civil servants in the state will help to an end the inherent anomaly in the system.
Earlier speaking, the Chairman Governing Council College of Education Billiri, Engr. Dr. Usman Maijama’a Kallamu said they were in the Government House to say thank you to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for finding them worthy to serve in the capacity as Council members.
He explained that under the period of 3 years, the college was able to gain entry into the TETFund intervention programme to which it has so far benefited a total sum of 1 billion naira in training, infrastructural development and research among others areas.
Dr. Kallamu informed the Governor that all the 19 academic programmes of the institution have been accredited by the National Board for Technical Education NBTE to further guarantee authenticity and the veracity of the College.
He intimated the Governor of the need to provide the College with access road as well as to address the monstrous gullies ravaging the institution premises among other challenges.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
In demonstration of his compassion and commitment to the wellbeing of the people of Gombe state, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has again approved the release and distribution of relief materials to internally displaced persons ( IDP’s) who fled their homes as the result of the Waja/Lunguda crisis in Balanga local government area of the state.
Chairman of the relief distribution Committee who is also the Commissioner for Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, Adamu Dishi Kupto Thursday led the Committee to IDP’s Camps in both Balanga North and Balanga South to present the relief materials.
Addressing the IDP’s at their separate camps beginning with Dala-Waja, Bwagal, Futuki,Sikkam,Cham,Yolde and Bambam, Alhaji Adamu Kupto expressed Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the crisis, assuring them of Government’s protection and care.
Alhaji Adamu Kupto, flanged by the Commissioner of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Christopher Abdu Buba Maisheru, Chairman Balanga Local Government Council, Garba Umaru and Security operatives restated Government’s Commitment to peace and peaceful co-existance for the development of the State.
He further assured the people that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and his Government will do everything possible to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act with a view to bringing them to book, describing the incident as most unfutunate.
While presenting the materials, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Ethical Orientation warned against abuse of process, insisting that the Items provided were essentially for those displaced by the crisis. He called on various leadership of the camps to ensure justice and fairness in the distribution excercise.
Receiving the items on behalf of their respective camps, Habu Salim, Micheal Bulus, Reverend Abraham Uche and Dimon Awa of Bwagal, Sikkam, Cham, Yolde Camps respectively, appreciated the Governor for the gesture and assured that the items provided will be justly shared to only those displaced by the crisis.
While the IDP’s in Dala Waja, Putoki, Sikkam, Kulani and Bwangal and Bambam camps received 50 bags each of Maize, millet, sugar, salt and cartons of indomie; those in Yolde and Cham collected 150 and 100 bags each of the food items respectively.
Recall that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had on Tuesday 13th April, 2021 led his entire cabinet members and heads of security agencies to an on the spot assessment of the affected areas in Nyuwar, Jessu and Yolde after the crisis broke out and directed that food items be supplied to those displaced while charging the security agents to ensure restoration of peace in those areas.
Following the visit and directive of the Governor, the relevant Ministries of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs and that of internal Security and Ethical Orientation swung into action by providing two trucks load of food items to Nyuwar and Jessu Districts, followed by Yesterday’s distribution to about 8 Internally displaced camps.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa says the establishment of the Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Agency and the State Hospital Services Management Board by his administration was for the two bodies to compliment each and every aspect of the health sector to give the people of the State a robust health system they so desire.
The Gombe State Governor stated this when he played host to the Governing Council of the Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (GSPHDA) led by its Chairman, Dr. Ya’u Ahmed Kashere at the Council Chamber of the Government House.
He noted that the resolve by his administration to reposition the health sector in the State is premise on its importance to human survival, growth and development, adding that the efforts, through Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency have started yielding results.
” The efforts we are making with regards to the improving on the health sector is because primarily healthcare comes first, without good health nothing moves forward “.
” So we are happy that what we are doing has started yielding results. Going by what we met on ground or what we indicated we will do for the people based on our manifestos, we have achieved a lot. We can now boast of having at least one functional primary healthcare centre in each of the 114 wards of Gombe State. These are solely the efforts of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and all of us here so we jointly congratulate each other”.
He disclosed that he has approved the commencement of housemanship in the state Specialist Hospital to train young medical Doctors, thereby boosting the manpower needs in hospitals across the State.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the challenge at hand which equally needs the support of the board members to address, was that of personnel who before now were randomly recruited, especially at the local government level without recourse to their academic background but for the benefits in the form of salary and allowances in the health sector.
The Governor however said current efforts by his administration to digitize attendance of civil servants in the state will bring to an end the inherent anomalies and open the window for recruitment, saying without the correct manpower it is going to be difficult to achieve meaningful results.
He said until these steps are taken towards putting square pegs in the square holes, Gombe cannot move fast to catch up with other advanced states across the country.
The Governor commended the board members for their dedication and commitment to duty, assuring them of his administration’s support to take the health sector to the next level.
Earlier, the Chairman, Governing Council of the Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (GSPHDA) Dr. Ya’u Ahmed Kashere said they were at the Government House to commend the Governor for his unprecedented intervention in the health and other sectors across the State and to bring him up to speed with some of the efforts they are making to complement his giant strides.
He said the renovation and upgrade of the Specialist Hospital Gombe and construction of others as well as the establishment of the State Contributory Management Agency and that of Hospital Services Management Board are clear testimonies of the Governor’s undying commitment to revamping the health sector.
Dr. Kashere noted that aside from the massive infrastructural development in the health sector, the Governor has equally done exceptionally well in his transformation agenda of social reconstruction, economic revitalization and infrastructural development for the overall benefit of the people of the State.
He informed the Governor that the board has since inaugurated committees on Policy/Advocacy, Welfare/Training and Infrastructure aimed at addressing challenges uncovered in their meetings with relevant stakeholders across the state.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe.
The secretary to the Gombe State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, has reassured the University of Maiduguri of his continued partnership for the development of education in Gombe State and Nigeria at Large.
Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi stated this on Tuesday when he received the, Director distance learning of the university of Maiduguri on a Courtesy visit in his office.
The SSG said though he is no longer directly involved with the institution, his doors will however remain open to anyone from the University who may seek for assistance to advance the progress of the institution.
Njodi who recalled with sense of commitment how the Gombe study centre of the University of Maiduguri started and has been waxing stronger, despite challenges, promised to stand by the management of the Centre to succeed. ” I am aware that the Centre is waxing stronger and Gombe study Centre is doing substantially well, because of insecurity, many people decided to engage in distance learning which is enhancing Educational development .
While appreciating the hard work of the management of Gombe Study Centre, which now attracts applications for admission beyond it’s catchment areas, the SSG said is commendable and worthy of support assuring of Gombe State Government rediness to assist the center where possible.
The Director of distance learning of the university of Maiduguri, Professor Abdullahi Bala Alhassan, who led the delegation to the SSG’s office had informed Professor Njodi that they were in his office to congratulate him on his well deserved appointment as the Secretary to the State Government and to keep the bond of friendship between them alive.
According to Professor Alhassan, professor Njodi though not directly involved in the affairs of University of Maiduguri he remains a force to be reckoned with and a reference point for counsel, giving his wealth of experience and the high level professionalism he displayed back in his days as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri
The Director request the SSG to be part of the Centre’s Programmes, to encourage them.
He also informed the SSG that they have just concluded admission for the next academic session and are about to matriculate the new entrants into the University calling on Gombe State indegine to take advantage of the Study Centre for their degree programs.
The director is accompanied by top management Staff of the distance learning department, while Muhammed A. Umar Permanent secretary in the SSG’s office and Doctor Mu’azu Shehu, Director General, research and documentation, Government House Gombe, were among Government official to receive the visiting team.
Joshua Danmalam Information Officer SSG’S office, 21/4/2021
…Says Gombe Will Work with NASS to Ensure Safety of Lives, Property of Citizenry
Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says the many needless confrontations within the country could have been avoided if there were deliberate efforts to build strong institutions that will ensure enforcement and compliance in access, layouts as well as law and order.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya was speaking when he received in audience, members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc committee on Tank Farms Relocation and Gas/Filling Stations Compliance led by its Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Mustapha Aliyu.
The Governor regretted how people abandon their responsibilities and allow lack of planning to take precedence through the citing of highly inflammable depots within neighbourhoods despite its maximum risk to lives and property.
“The need for us to comply with development planning and control is key, whatever this committee will do I think emphasis has to be made in adopting the concept of layouts instead of carve out”
He told the Reps members that development control currently being championed by his administration will not allow the flagrant abuse of or citing of tank farms or any other establishment that could be injurious to the survival of the people and their property.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the establishment of the Gombe State Geographic Information System (GOGIS) and the restructuring of the Urban Development Board into an Authority were done to entrench development control and compliance in the interest of the people of the State.
He added that as a reformatory Government, the issuance of Order no 4 was another proactive step taken by his administration to ensure compliance in the area of urban centre demarcation.
The Governor observed that the LPG depots that sprang up in Gombe metropolis are sandwiched between houses or business areas making them a danger to lives and properties as can be seen in other states across the country where inferno resulting from tanks farms and LPG depots led to loss of many lives and property.
He noted that successive governments placed emphasis on carve outs instead of layouts, a situation the Governor said is not only dangerous to the tenets of development but also infringes on the rights of way and those of the people which often lead to conflicts.
He blamed the insecurity bedeviling on lack of proper planning and control, saying the encroachment of cattle routes to felling off of grazing and forests reserves as factors responsible for farmers/ herders conflicts degenerating into banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling.
“So this committee is very important and we welcome you to Gombe because you found us on our reformatory kits, we are embarking on these reforms because we believe that is the key for a sustainable development and the key for peaceful coexistence within our people in the state and within the country”.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said his administration has no option than to right the wrongs of distorted development plan in the State which is the hallmark of any responsible and responsive government, adding that the State will collaborate and cooperate with the committee towards adoption and subsequent implementation of its report.
Earlier, the Chairman, House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Tank Farms Relocation, Hon. Ibrahim Mustapha Aliyu said the 38 member committee was set up by the House following complaints by Nigerians that the indiscriminate setting up of highly inflammable depots is posing danger to the lives and property of the people.
He said the committee has been mandated to investigate the compliance level of these facilities in relation to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) guidelines and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) right of way in some pilot states in which Gombe is one.
Hon. Ibrahim Aliyu thanked the Gombe State Government for the hospitality accorded to his committee and praised Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for the uncommon transformation of the State through his road network eleven hundred project, the Gombe Goes Green and massive control of monstrous gullies within and outside the State capital among others.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
….. As Gombe SSG recieves J.S Tarkaa leadership Award of Excellence.
The TIV Youth Peace Initiative world wide has passed a Vote of Confidence on the Peaceful disposition as well as developmental efforts of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Gombe State and the Nation at large.
The National President of the initiative Tenaa Anakaa who made the pronouncement while presenting the J. S .Tarkaa leadership Award of Excellence to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi as “Kurutyaubem” ( Warrior of Peace) said Governor Yahaya has done much in the State and the Country at Large.
Tenaa Anakaa said it took the Association five years to study the humanitarian and Philanthropic works of Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi to determine his desirability of the Award.
He said the TIV Youth Peace Initiative has membership covering Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa State committed to the Course of Peace in the Country.
Mr. Tenaa further explained that the association has been working assodiusly to negotiate and dialogue for peaceful Co-existance between the TIV and Fulani Communities which has suffered setbacks occasioned by needles crisis.
He also said the hardwork, humility, honesty, tolerance and accommodative disposition of the SSG which elevated him to the position of a Vice chancellor of University of Maiduguri as and now Secretary to the State Government has earned him the recognition for the Award urging him to keep up the good works.
In his acceptance remarks the Secretary to the State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi dedicated the award to the Governor, Staff of his office and the people of Gombe State who are involve in all the peace Initiative of the State.
Prof. Njodi also appreciated them for passing the vote of Confidence on the leadership style of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya adding that, ” If TIV are watching what the Governor is doing, I believe Igbos and Yoruba’s are watching too “
High light of the event was the doccoration of the SSG with TIV attire, presentation of Certificate of Excellence and symbol of office as ” Kurutyaubem” meaning Worior of peace.
Joshua Danmalam Information Officer SSG’S office. 19/4/2021
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has inaugurated a commission of inquiry to investigate the root cause of the Billiri violence which erupted between the 17th and 20th February 2021 over the appointment of Mai Tangle.
In his address at the inauguration ceremony, Governor Yahaya said the commission of inquiry was constituted following the violent protests that resulted in deaths of innocent persons, damage and destruction of valuable property including residential houses, business premises and Mosques thereby causing the displacement of families and Commercial activities.
He explained that, “You may recall that following the death of his Royal highness the Mai Tangle, Abdu Buba Maisheru, the state government directed the Kingmakers of the Tangale Traditional Council to commence the selection process of the successor, however before the government could finalise and make pronouncement on the new Mai Tangle, some unpatriotic elements began an Endsars-type protest (codenamed #LockdownBilliri) by blocking the Gombe-Yola federal highway and other entry points into Billiri local government and thereafter some unscrupulous elements hijacked the protest and turned it to a violent one with the support of unpatriotic purveyors of fake news via social media”
He said the protests erupted even before government took decision on who to appoint but stressed that one undeniable fact is that spread of fake news contributed immensely in the escalation of the violence.
“Some people may be tempted to conclude that the crisis emanated from the choice of a new Mai Tangle even though the protests erupted even before the government took a decision on who to appoint. Some may be tempted to give the crisis a religious or political coloration or both.”
He said it is in light of this that the Gombe state government strongly believes that determining the causes of the crisis is needed in order to sanction those involved and take necessary measures to prevent future occurrence.
Therefore, the Governor, in exercise of the powers conferred on him as Governor by section 2 of the Commission of inquiry law, constituted the Commission of inquiry into Billiri violent protests with the following terms of reference: to find out the remote and immediate causes of the violent protests; identify person or group of persons who sponsored, procured, instigated or encouraged the violent protests and to recommend sanctions or remedial measures against such person or group of persons; receive and investigate complaints from victims or the families of victims.
“Make appropriate recommendations to government on measures and means of preventing the future occurrence of violent protests and how to make perpetrators account for their acts,” among others.
Governor Yahaya urged members of the commission to be thorough and fair in discharging their assigned responsibilities while calling on the people to assist the commission with honest, useful and genuine information.
He noted that in order to cushion the effects of the violent protests, the state government recently distributed a “considerable quantity of palliatives to the people directly and indirectly affected by the crisis”.
He added that the Commission of inquiry is comprised of people of impeccable character drawn from diverse professional backgrounds with Retired Justice Mahmud Gurama as Chairman.
Members are: Retired AIG of Police Zubairu Mu’azu, Barr Mahmud Bappa Aliyu, Sharon Faliya Cham and Rev Bitrus Urbanus Thaba.
Others are : Abdulhamid Salisu Bello, Victoria Mamuda Usman, Barr Robert Wabida as Member, Abdullahi Jalo (Castic), Dr Ya’u Ahmed Kashere while Barr Musa Sa’idu Secretary and H.N Nwoye ESQ will serve as Secretary and Counsel to the Commission respectively.
Earlier in his welcome address, Secretary to the state government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi reminisced over some of the measures earlier taken by the state government, including imposition of curfew, stakeholders’ engagements and other steps in stabilizing the situation in Billiri. While congratulating the members, the SSG called on them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Governor.
The commission has sixty days to submit its report.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has expressed satisfaction with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s unprecedented transformation of the health sector in Gombe State within just a 2 years period.
This was disclosed by Dr Sikiru Saluwudeen at the debriefing session with the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru on the outcome of the just concluded accrediatation exercise jointly performed by the NHIS and the State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (GoHealth).
The visit was meant to debrief the Honourable Commissioner on the health facility accreditation exercise carried out to ascertain the level of preparedness of the 114 Primary Healthcare Centres selected to provide services to Basic Healthcare Provision Fund beneficiaries.
Dr Salawuddeen who is the immediate past Coordinator of NHIS in the state, applauded the state government under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya for transforming healthcare facilities across the state.
He remarked that all the 114 healthcare facilities visited have standard infrastrutures and equipment required to provide the basic minimum package of health services apart from a few flashpoints of manpower gap in some hard-to-reach areas. “Haven worked in the state and left about 2 years ago, I could not believe the transformation I have witnssed in my return to the state”, he said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru reiterated that the revitalisation of healthcare facilities in the state was as a result of the governor’s resolve in prioritising health since assuming office. He stressed the need for a strong collaboration between NHIS and GoHealth for the smooth take-off of the BHCPF and other programmes.
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